Friday, January 17, 2014

January 17, 2014 Shirley Sovereign

The weather during the last two weeks has presented challenges for scheduling and developing a routine following winter break. Since we can't control the weather, we do the best we can by being flexible and using instructional time well when we have it. A BIG thank you to Brian Swestka and the bus drivers for their commitment to safety with snowy road conditions!

School Board MeetingThere were two excellent presentations by teachers at the meeting that was held on Jan. 13th.

Mrs. Trish Hartman and Mr. Scott Wiley presented information from a conference they attended on bullying prevention. They shared actions that have been taken in their buildings to prevent bullying and support students. Mr. Wiley described the electronic system (HEART Database) that has been utilized to gather data and inform decisions about ways of supporting positive student behavior in the K-8 building.

Elementary teachers presented to the Board about the implementation of Response-to-Intervention (RTI), which is part of the SINA Action Plan. The intervention time, 30 minutes each day, has been named "Cadet Time." All students in Crestwood Elementary, at the K-5 grade levels, participate in Cadet Time in order to meet individual needs, whether it is to get extra help or more challenging instruction. Kindergarten teachers who presented were Julie Franzen, Michelle Timp and Clarissa Einck. The 5th grade teachers who shared were Becky Halverson, Kelly Sorenson and Julie Wilson. They all did an excellent job of describing the ways student learning needs are being targeted through intervention times!

Student data & bully prevention

Kindergarten: Cadet Time & student success

5th Grade: Student groups & teacher collaboration

3D PrinterLiteracy, science, technology, engineering, math and creativity are evident in student uses of the 3D printer set up in the Discovery Center. Crestwood Elementary was selected by Keystone AEA for the opportunity to use the printer on loan until March. Its arrival has brought lots of student interest and motivation to the Discovery Center learning activities.

Jason Martin-Hiner, Keystone Science Consultant, helped with set-up in the Discovery Center. Kindergarten was amazed with the 3D printer! Mrs. Vandervort and Mr. Knobloch have been working with the K-8 students in designing and printing various objects. The students are very excited by this venture into technology.

In this photo, the 4th graders are learning to understand how the 3D printer works and starting to develop ideas on how to create their own designs. Mrs. Vandervort and her son, Zach Vandervort (HS student), have set up accounts for the students to create their own designs.

In this photo, Mrs. Watt's class is learning about the printer and working on the design of a character from a story. Mr. Knobloch has demonstrated the 3D printer to all the students in the Gifted & Talented Program and any other student who is interested.

Preschool PBIS CoachesMrs. Megan Merkel and Mrs. Shari Marr have been selected to receive training as preschool PBIS coaches. HAWC Partnerships for Children and Keystone AEA are providing this training later this month. Mrs. Merkel and Mrs. Marr will train in the use of The Teaching Pyramid Observation Tool (TPOT). This training prepares these teachers to assess preschool teacher implementation of PBIS practices using the assessment tool. They will be observing in other preschool classrooms and providing teachers with feedback.

Preschool & Kindergarten Registration

Registration for the 2014-2015 school year will be held during the week of Feb. 3-7, 2014. Registration for preschool will be for children who are age 4 by Sept. 15, 2014. Students who are age 5 by Sept. 15, 2014 may be registered for kindergarten. Parents may register students in any of the elementary school offices. If they have questions, they may call Crestwood at 563-547-2300, Elma at 641-393-2280 or Lime Springs/Chester at 563-566-2221.

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